June 26: Germany v Slovakia Betting Preview

GERMANY have been efficient if not dynamic in their progress to the last 16 without conceding.

The world champions clinched Group C with a 1-0 win against Northern Ireland that should have been many more.

A combination of poor finishing, bad luck and great goalkeeping by Michael McGovern kept the score down as the Irish defended for their lives.

Slovakia sealed their spot by defending for 90 minutes against England and earning a 0-0 draw.

I expect them be just as cautious to so it could be another game of unders that pays just 4-7 at McBookie and Ladbrokes.

The Germans haven’t failed to reach a major tournament semi-final since 2004 and should win but at no bigger than 9-20 with Kilmarnock consider Germany to win to nil at 39-40 with McBookie.

While they’ve been rock solid at the back the Germans have netted just three times but I’m taking a chance on Thomas Muller at 9-2 with Coral. He was Golden Boot joint favourite pre-tournament and while he has drawn a blank he hit the woodwork and came close on several occasions against Ireland.

Slovakia won 3-1 against an experimental Germany last month but I’m reading nothing into that. They couldn’t beat Wales or England so I don’t see them troubling the world champions. That’s why Slovakia are as big as 10-1 at boylesports.

Their strong men are centre-halves Jan Durica and Martin Skrtel while playmaker Marek Hamsik will be relied on to provide a creative spark.

If Germany score first it will be interesting to see how they play if. If they come out of their shell they could be picked off so Germany -1 could be worth a look at 7-5 with Coral